survivalism

noun

sur·​viv·​al·​ism sər-ˈvī-və-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce survivalism (audio)
: an attitude, policy, or practice based on the primacy of survival as a value

Examples of survivalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The film was a massive success and spawned four explosive sequels, but the original film's themes of action, survivalism and compassion, enhanced by Stallone's nuanced performance, make First Blood the first choice in Rambo flicks. Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 23 Feb. 2023 In Riley’s world, the women who consort with such men have been emptied of their confidence and are merely mimicking the men’s aggressive insistence with their own passive-aggressive survivalism. James Wood, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2023 His 2005 film War of the Worlds, a reimagining of the sci-fi classic, is a chilling distortion of 9/11, a tale of American survivalism being tested by foreign invasion. David Sims, The Atlantic, 14 Dec. 2022 Taylor-Joy brings a cagey survivalism to Margot, a girl who gives the sense she's had to get herself out of ugly scenarios many times before, and the notes Chau hits are delicious, a symphony of passive-aggressive bitchery. Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 16 Nov. 2022 In a way, survivalism has become a dominant mode of self-reference for a greater number of people. Milan Polk, Men's Health, 13 Sep. 2022 Herzog has always been attuned to the ways in which survivalism functions as a form of existentialism. Dan Piepenbring, The New Yorker, 16 June 2022 An April update included warnings about survivalism and affinity fraud. The Salt Lake Tribune, 4 Aug. 2021 Musk says Mars settlers are in for a trip filled with survivalism and resource management. Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 26 Apr. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'survivalism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of survivalism was in 1928

Dictionary Entries Near survivalism

Cite this Entry

“Survivalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/survivalism. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on survivalism

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!